Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024 | Recent News

Start your day informed with today’s must-read headlines from around Wisconsin and the world. And don’t forget to check out our Meme of the Day and the end for a little humor to go with your news!

U.S. and World Headlines

Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire Takes Effect, Halting Deadly War In Lebanon

A ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon appeared to be holding after it came into effect at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday (10 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday). President Biden announced the ceasefire deal Tuesday, saying the U.S. and France had helped broker the agreement.

Celebratory gunshots were heard in Beirut, where people took to the streets to cheer the cessation of hostilities — however long it lasts.

Lebanon's army said it was preparing to send troops to the country's south, where they will help ensure the truce deal is adhered to, and they asked residents of the border region not to return until Israeli forces pull out, according to the Reuters news agency.

Homebuyer Demand For Mortgages Jumps 12%, After First Interest Rate Drop In Over 2 Months

Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home increased 12% from the previous week and were 52% higher than the same week one year ago.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($766,550 or less) decreased to 6.86% from 6.90%

Applications to refinance a home loan dropped 3% for the week but were 119% higher than the same week one year ago.

Rich People Are Dominating Holiday Travel

Traveling for the holidays this year? The answer increasingly depends on your paycheck.

Households earning at least six figures a year are expected to make up the largest share of holiday travelers this season — 45%, up from 38% in 2023, according to a recent survey by the consulting firm Deloitte. And they’re on track to make up a majority of paid lodging customers, expanding their ranks as hotel guests from 43% last season to 52% now.

Why India's Latest Sun Mission Finding Is Crucial For The World

Scientists in India have reported the “first significant result” from Aditya-L1, the country’s first solar observation mission in space.

The new learnings, they said, could help keep power grids and communication satellites out of harm's way the next time solar activities threatened infrastructure on Earth and space.

On 16 July, the most important of the seven scientific instruments Aditya-L1 is carrying – Visible Emission Line Coronagraph, or Velc – captured data that helped scientists estimate the precise time a coronal mass ejection (CME) began.

The Vast Majority Of Americans Celebrate Thanksgiving, But Their Traditions And Activities Vary Widely

Just a few weeks after a divisive presidential election, millions of Americans will break bread together for Thanksgiving. A new Pew Research Center survey shows how Americans plan to spend the holiday this year – and which Turkey Day traditions and activities are more common than others.

Here are the main takeaways from the survey, conducted Nov. 12-17, 2024, among 9,609 U.S. adults:

Menominee Tribe Sees Sharp Decrease In Overdose Deaths, Hospitalizations

The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin has seen a sharp decline in overdoses resulting in hospitalization or death this year, after two years of record-high overdose deaths on the reservation.

So far this year, the tribe has seen a nearly 70 percent decrease in overdoses leading to hospitalizations or deaths, the Menominee announced in a recent news release.

In a statement, Ben Warrington, emergency management director and co-chair of the Menominee Tribe’s Drug Addiction Intervention Team, said the decrease is promising. He called the data a testament to tribal organizations’ efforts to provide accurate information, education and necessary resources to those struggling with addiction.

Wisconsin Sex Offender Accused Of Violating Registry, Using Alias To DJ Kids' Events

A convicted sex offender could face prison time for violating several sex offender registry rules.

According to the criminal complaint, a sex-offender registration specialist was tipped off that Nicholas G. Mistrioty, 45, had been using the alias “Nicholas Maseraty” and had a Facebook account under that name. The specialist saw on Facebook that Mistrioty had started a new job as the owner and CEO of Elite Karaoke Wisconsin.

Stroebel Urges Senate Republicans Against Working With Wall After Developer Celebrates Lawmaker’s Loss

Outgoing state Sen. Duey Stroebel is encouraging his Senate GOP colleagues to be skeptical of working with Terrence Wall in the upcoming legislative session.

The developer told WisPolitics Stroebel, R-Saukville, is being “vindictive” after he sent the lawmaker a text message stating he was happy to have contributed to the lawmaker’s defeat. Wall called Stroebel a “one-man political party onto himself” who sought to block legislation that was overwhelmingly popular with other lawmakers because of his personal preferences.

Fight Against Fluoride Is Expanding On The Local And National Stage

In 2022, the percent of Wisconsin residents who had fluoridated water dropped sharply. According to data from the state’s Department of Health Services, 86.9% of residents had fluoridated water in 2021.

A year later, that had dropped to 84.9%. Combining data from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency shows that, in 2024, about 83.6% of the state’s residents have fluoridated water.

Judge Not Stopping Wisconsin Wedding Barn Lawsuit

Wedding barn owners in Wisconsin could be on their way to their day in court.

A Trempealeau County Judge on Friday refused to dismiss the lawsuit that challenges Wisconsin’s 2023 law that requires wedding barns to get liquor licenses and follow other special interest-inspired rules if they want to host more than a handful of events each year.

Critics say the law is not only written to benefit the Tavern League, it will essentially put wedding barn owners out of business.